Chapter 12: Lang Jiu is Somewhat Mad

 Chapter 12: Lang Jiu is Somewhat Mad

On the way to Kangshou Courtyard, Lang Jiuchuan learned much about this body’s past from Nanny Wang’s endless chatter.

For instance, though she was born of the Second Branch, by the order of seniority among her peers, she was ranked ninth. This was because the uncles of the First and Third Branches had long since married and had children early, while her father, Lang Zhengfan, married late and had her even later. By the time she was born, the cousins from the elder branches had already sprouted like bamboo shoots after the rain. Thus, she was placed as the ninth among them.

“So, in this generation, everyone’s names carry the character Cai… yet my name is Jiuchuan?” Lang Jiuchuan asked curiously.

Nanny Wang sighed with a trace of sorrow. “Ninth Young Lady, your name was given by the Second Master himself. Before you were even born, when he went on campaign, he had already chosen it for you. I heard it comes from a line of poetry. This old servant has read little and cannot recall clearly. The Second Madam would know best. But I once overheard that the Second Master wished you to have the breadth of the seas, to embrace all rivers.”

Lang Jiuchuan snorted. “Then he must be disappointed. I bear grudges, am petty and rebellious. If someone offends me, I repay it on the spot. As for embracing all rivers—that’s impossible.”

What was so good about being the sea, burdened with everything and never at rest?

Nanny Wang asked softly, “Do you resent Second Madam?”

“The bond between parent and child is sometimes shallow. Mine is not the only family like this. I suppose I’ve little qualification to resent her.” After all, she was not the original soul. She could not feel the same pain, only acknowledge the threads of cause and effect.

Nanny Wang sighed again. “The Second Madam’s life is not easy either. When she first married, she and the Second Master were often apart. After several years she finally conceived, but she met with great difficulty in childbirth. Worse, the Second Master died in battle soon after. In her grief, she lost herself. When a person’s nature strays, their thoughts turn awry. Truly, Second Madam is a pitiable one.”

Lang Jiuchuan’s voice was cool. “And yet, is not the most pitiful one the child who was sent away from her own home since childhood? What wrong did she commit?”

As they spoke, they entered Anshou Courtyard.

A maid lifted the curtain and announced their arrival, her gaze flicking curiously toward Lang Jiuchuan.

Inside, several braziers warmed the main hall. On the south-facing couch, leaning against a large indigo pillow embroidered with the motif of Five Blessings Bearing Longevity, the Old Madam dozed lightly.

Beside her sat a young matron with a silver-round face and a plump figure, her belly faintly rounded. She was Pan Shi, the wife of Lang Caicheng from the First Branch, married just this past spring.

Pan Shi gently roused the old lady. “Grandmother, Ninth Younger Sister has come.”

The Old Madam stirred, her eyelids fluttering open. Slowly her gaze focused until she saw the young girl at her side. With Nanny Wang’s support, she sat up, smiling kindly as she extended her hand. “My dear child, my precious has finally come back.”

Lang Jiuchuan shivered.

“Precious one, come warm Grandmother’s bed, so cozy.”

“Precious one, too many candied hawthorns will spoil your teeth—but very well, just one more.”

“Precious one, Grandmother misses your father…”

One image after another flashed through her mind—joyful laughter of a child, the younger face of the Old Madam, and finally the sorrow-stricken figure lying ever weaker upon the couch.

So, she too had once known warmth.

Lang Jiuchuan sat down quietly and glanced at the Old Madam. A flicker of pale gold flashed in her eyes—she had glimpsed the other’s lifespan.

Her face turned paler still. This body was truly too frail; without recovery, even reading a loved one’s fate harmed her own vitality.

“Oh my, your hands are so cold, precious child! Quickly, bring two more braziers, fetch a hand warmer!” The Old Madam held her hand with deep concern, then called, “Guizhi, bring my casket.”

Lang Jiuchuan looked down at the wrinkled hand grasping her own, tendons standing out beneath the skin.

Nanny Wang brought the casket, and the Old Madam opened it with a triumphant smile, pushing it toward her. “Take these—all are saved for my precious one.”

Inside were delicate hairpins and bracelets, all meant for children.

But she had already grown.

Then the Old Madam added a packet of candies wrapped in purple paper.

“I give these only to you, my dear,” she said proudly.

Her aged eyes, though clouded, brimmed with unfeigned affection.

Lang Jiuchuan exhaled softly and whispered, “Grandmother.”

At that single word, tears welled in the Old Madam’s eyes. She laughed through them, took a piece of hibiscus cake from the table, and held it to her lips. “Eat, sweeten your mouth.”

Lang Jiuchuan accepted it between her teeth.

The Old Madam rambled on, then, in moments, drifted into slumber again. But when she woke, she peered closely at Lang Jiuchuan and murmured in confusion, “Are you my Fan’er? These eyes are so alike…”

Lang Jiuchuan could only fall silent.

Soon, the Old Madam quieted, soothed back to rest by her attendants.

Seated at her bedside, Lang Jiuchuan tucked her hand under the quilt. Gazing upon the aged face, her eyes lowered slightly. The Old Madam had grown old, and her lifespan was not long.

Nanny Wang spoke softly, “Since you were six, when the Old Madam fell ill, her mind began to falter. The imperial physicians said it was grief lodged in her heart, an illness born of worry. She thought constantly of the Second Master until she truly lost herself. In truth, it was she who first succumbed to delusion. She never meant to keep you at the estate forever—she feared you would clash with the Second Madam, and that she could not shield you…”

Lang Jiuchuan listened in silence.

…

Later, in the mourning hall.

As dusk fell, few mourners remained. Those unable to kneel long, such as Pan Shi with her pregnancy, sat aside, while the rest kept vigil.

The Lang family’s sons and daughters whispered among themselves about Lang Jiuchuan.

It was their first time meeting this cousin. She was indeed rustic, her manner plain, yet not weak or timid as they had imagined. Rather, she seemed… mad.

Lang Jiuchuan is somewhat mad—that was their first impression.

Who else would speak such offensive words to an elder in the mourning hall? It was not merely disrespectful, but outright insulting.

Even among themselves, if someone cursed another to die soon, would they not fight back?

Yet Lang Jiuchuan had indeed said such things, offending the elder, and the family head had not punished her.

“When the mourning is over, Father will surely deal with her,” Lang Cailing sneered.

Lang Caiyao of the Third Branch said nothing, her face unreadable.

“I doubt it,” scoffed Lang Caiguang. “She’s Second Uncle’s only child. Eldest Uncle won’t punish her.”

Jealousy flashed in Lang Cailing’s eyes. She snorted, “Even so, she’s nothing but a neglected girl—”

Before she could finish, Lang Caiyao tugged her sleeve and signaled toward the entrance.

Lang Cailing turned—and her face paled. Without her noticing, Cui Shi had returned, accompanied by Fàn Shi, who spoke to her in low tones.

Fàn Shi’s cold gaze swept over them, stern and warning.

Cui Shi too glanced at her, her eyes devoid of warmth.

Indeed, Second Aunt was of the noble Cui clan of Qinghe, famed for their strict emphasis on virtue and propriety. She disdained idle gossip behind others’ backs. Now, caught speaking ill of Lang Jiuchuan, Cailing had not only shamed herself but also insulted the Second Branch.

She remembered her mother’s old intention of passing her younger brother into the Second Branch as heir. At the thought, cold sweat trickled down her back. Hastily, she bowed her head and sat properly.

Cui Shi came forward and said evenly, “The Daoist teachings say: A gentleman practices seven forms of caution. Cautious to the end as at the beginning, thus no undertaking fails. Cautious in speech to cultivate virtue, cautious in conduct to strengthen resolve. Let us all encourage one another in this.”

Lang Cailing stiffened, trembling as she bowed low. “I humbly heed Second Aunt’s instruction.”